The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vehemently criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday for his conspicuous silence regarding the controversial remarks made by Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, wherein he drew an unfavorable analogy between Sanatana dharma and afflictions such as "dengue" and "malaria."
Virendra Sachdeva, the Delhi unit chief of the BJP, expressed his bewilderment at Kejriwal's current reticence, especially given the latter's attempts to project himself as a guardian of Hinduism. In a conversation with the news agency Press Trust of India (PTI), Sachdeva questioned why Kejriwal had chosen to remain silent on this matter.
The controversy stemmed from Udhayanidhi Stalin, a leader of the DMK, who likened Sanatana Dharma to maladies such as coronavirus, malaria, and mosquito-borne dengue fever. He went further to assert that such elements should not merely be resisted but eradicated. These remarks triggered a political maelstrom, with the BJP taking aim at not only the DMK but also the Congress and other members of the INDIA alliance.
In contrast, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh emphasized the need for respecting all religions, regardless of Stalin's statements. He stressed the beauty of India's multicultural fabric, where various religions, castes, and languages coexist harmoniously. Singh, speaking to the news agency ANI, advocated for religious tolerance and cautioned against making derogatory comments about any faith.
The BJP, while scrutinizing the INDIA alliance's stance on this matter, contended that the opposition coalition harbors a fundamental agenda involving the complete dismantling of Hindu dharma. Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP's IT department, went further by alleging that Udhayanidhi effectively called for the "genocide" of the 80% population adhering to Sanatana Dharma.
Amid the escalating controversy, Udhayanidhi, who is also the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, opted to provide clarification through a statement posted on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). In his statement, he asserted that he had never advocated for the genocide of individuals adhering to Sanatan Dharma. He explained that Sanatana Dharma perpetuates divisions based on caste and religion and that advocating for its eradication is synonymous with upholding principles of humanity and human equality. Udhayanidhi stood by his initial statement, asserting that he spoke on behalf of the oppressed and marginalized individuals who endure hardships due to Sanatana Dharma.
